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Backup Nexus & Cisco configuration with Ansible

Requirements :

  • cisco-nxos collection
  • ansible-netcommon collection
  • cisco-ios collection

This outlines the primary commands to back up the devices; however, the Ansible tasks for local data persistence and file generation are omitted.

Cisco NEXUS

To backup Nexus : 

    - name: get running-config
      nxos_command:
        commands: show running | exclude ^!Time
      register: running_cfg

    - name: get startup-config
      nxos_command:
        commands: show startup | exclude ^!Time
      register: startup_cfg

Cisco IOS

To backup IOS : 

    - name: get running-config
      ios_command:
        commands: show running | exclude ntp clock-period
      register: running_cfg
      ignore_errors: true

    - name: get startup-config
      ios_command:
        commands: show startup | exclude ntp clock-period
      register: startup_cfg
      ignore_errors: true

Ansible Network Connection

Tip

For network devices, you will need specific connection variables to access the devices : https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/collections/ansible/netcommon/network_cli_connection.html.

[all:vars]
ansible_connection=network_cli
ansible_user=changeme
ansible_password= "useVault"
ansible_become=yes
ansible_become_method=enable
ansible_become_password="useVault"
ansible_network_cli_ssh_type=paramiko

[nxos:vars]
ansible_network_os=nxos

[ios:vars]
ansible_network_os=ios